The Right Gear Makes All the Difference

Wearing the right sports bra is just as important as wearing the right running shoes. Finding the right style and fit helps you feel comfortable and stay motivated.

Did you know that 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong sized bra? This also means you might be wearing the wrong sized sports bra. The very first sports bra was literally two jock straps sewn together. Thirty-some years later, technology has come a long way. Scientists have figured out (finally!) that a sports bra needs to do more than stop up and down movement, it needs to take care of side to side movement as well. Most bras stop only up and down movement, which could be part of the reason more than half of women suffer breast pain during exercise. The right bra, however, can eliminate this pain for about 80 percent of women.

How many sports bras have you bought over the years that get used once, maybe twice, only to get lost in the back of the drawer? It's time to get serious about choosing the right bra. Most sports bras simply compress the breasts - not very comfortable and, in my opinion, still embarrassing to wear in public. A good and supportive bra encapsulates each breast into its own cup (and of course, the cups have to be the right size).

This week's challenge, gear yourself up for success from the skin out. Get yourself fitted for a new sports bra and feel the difference!
Can't get to a fitting? Here's some great information on how to measure yourself:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1290

Something else to think about: According to the experts at Fleet Feet, a sports bra should be worn regularly for only about 6 months before it is replaced, and never put in the dryer.

Go shopping for a new sports bra - your body and your workout will love you for it.